Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The shining witness given by Spain's martyrs ” and “the silent heroic witness of many Christians who live the Gospel without compromise” were mentioned by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday 28 October before leading the recitation of the midday Angelus prayer with numerous visitors gathered in St Peter's Square, including thousands of Spanish pilgrims who had come to take part in the Mass for the Beatification of 498 Spaniards martyred in Spain in the 20th century. The Liturgy was presided by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. “The inscription in the Register of the Blessed of such a great number of Martyrs at the same time - the Pope said at the Angelus - is a demonstration that the supreme witness of bloodshed is not an exception reserved for a few, it is a realistic possibility for the whole Christian people. In fact these were men and women of different ages, vocations and social conditions who gave their life for the fidelity to Christ and to his Church.”
Pope Benedict XVI continued “the month of October, dedicated in a special way to missionary efforts, closes in this way with a shining witness of these Spanish martyrs who join martyrs Albertina Berkenbrock, Emmanuel Gómez Gonzáles and Adilio Daronch, and Franz Jägerstätter, Beatified recently in Brazil and in Austria. May their example be a witness that Baptism impels all Christians to participate with courage in the work of spreading the Kingdom of God, cooperating if necessary offering the sacrifice of their very life”. However not everyone is called to a bloody martyrdom, there exists also a bloodless "martyrdom" the “ the silent heroic witness of many Christians who live the Gospel without compromise, carrying out their duty dedicating themselves generously to the service of the poor”. As an example of this martyrdom the Holy Father recalled Celina Chludzińska Borzźcka, mother, a widow and a women religious, beatified the day before in Rome. “This martyrdom of everyday life is a most important testimony in the secularised society of our day- Pope Benedict XVI said - . This is the peaceful battle of love which every Christian, like Paul, is called to fight; until the day we die we are committed to the race to spread the Gospel”.
Greeting visitors in different languages after the Angelus prayer the Pope said in Spanish to numerous Spanish priests, religious and lay people present for the Beatification: “We thank God for the great gift of these witnesses of the faith moved solely by love for Christ who paid with their blood their fidelity to Him and to the Church- the Pope said -. With their testimony they illuminate our spiritual path to holiness and encourage us to make our life an offering of love for God and our for our brothers and sisters. At the same time, by forgiving their persecutors in words and attitude, they urge us to work tirelessly to promote mercy, reconciliation and peaceful co-existence ”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 29/10/2007 - righe 35, parole 407)
